In your recent article for ILM, you highlight the potential advantages of leather’s durability, repairability and long life under the new circularity agenda. How do you see the leather industry best communicating these strengths to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and policymakers? 

KF: One pathway is the consistent publication of scientifically robust articles that show the hard science behind leather’s durability. Perhaps the best starting point for this is the FILK study (in the peer-reviewed Coatings journal). The UNIDO life cycle assessment (LCA) Guidelines is another respected science-based publication that goes some way to demonstrate how leather is a durable material, shown through the durability amortization methodology, proving that leather is a material with longevity. 

The move towards design-for-dismantling could create new opportunities for materials that are easier to identify and recover. What could the leather and automotive industries do together to make leather even more attractive from an end-of-life perspective?

KF: Making automotive seating out of one or two materials is a great “designing for the end in mind” approach. If a metal frame is the skeleton for a seat that has collagen foam, thread, leather and collagen stiffener, the end of life of the entire seat is pre-set. These materials, made for both performance and compostability, can be variably shredded, whilst the magnetic metal fragments are removed and the rest can be composted into high quality fertiliser. Similarly, the seat can be constructed so that the seams can be easily released and repaired or remanufactured easily, meaning that high wear panels can be replaced and the seat can easily go into its next cycle. 

You identify traceability as an important area for leather, particularly in demonstrating responsible sourcing. Could greater traceability become a positive differentiator for leather as the circular economy develops and are there areas where the leather industry could improve traceability and transparency? 

KF: I believe radio frequency identification (RFID) chips are vital for the tracking of products like shoes and handbags. The vehicle identification, nesting tracking in cutting, and batch numbers against part numbers are highly advanced in automotive trim and seating systems. The advanced state of traceability in automotive parts (for recall functionality) makes end-of-life decision-making easy in leather. At the end of life for leather, any leather component can be sent for the correct waste management with ease. Improvements in leather track and trace, digital product passports, will only improve this. 

With OEMs taking greater responsibility for the end-of-life of vehicles, do you see an opportunity for closer collaboration between car manufacturers, leather suppliers and recyclers to develop better circular leather solutions? What might that collaboration look like?

KF: It is in the interest of OEMs to use long-lived materials, making the circular economy easier to implement. Increasing extended producer responsibility is going to make these strategies “no-brainers”. I see future OEMs with greater due diligence for end-of-life considerations and more careful control of the harvesting of secondary materials going back into their circular supply chains. This will save OEMs enormous impact and cost savings. 

You suggest that leather and other collagen-based materials could play an interesting role in more biogenic and compostable vehicle interiors. What developments have you seen or would most like to see from the leather industry to turn this opportunity into a practical, scalable solution? 

KF: The best example of homogenising the materials used in automotive products can be seen in the use of collagen in making seating foams. To replace the multitude of materials in a car seat towards a biomaterial such as proteins, increase its biocircularity, and lower its carbon footprint. The latest biogenic LCA methodologies are demonstrating that natural biomaterials have lower carbon impacts when compared to fossil-based materials. The added bonus is the end-of-life credentials of biomaterials compared to fossil plastics (which are destined for landfill). Bans that are coming for materials going to landfill are only going to make this harder. The use of recycled leather going into threads is also an exciting opportunity. 

You describe automotive ELV policy as a potential test case for wider circularity in leather. What do you think the leather industry could do now to build on this opportunity and demonstrate leadership across automotive, footwear, fashion and other sectors? 

KF: Leather makers must create and elevate exciting narratives, backed with science. We should support designers and OEMs – who are keen on using new innovative leathers and encourage carmakers too – bringing them something fresh to help sell the next season of cars. Trying to market past leather values to new consumers is never going to work. Biocircularity presents many new options. We should grab, use and celebrate them!

It’s exciting to hear that the Walsall Leather Museum in the UK is no longer facing relocation. You have been campaigning for the museum not to relocate. Can you tell me more about how and where did this story start? 

It is indeed great news and a real milestone achievement in our long campaign to save the museum, which has spread across two years! It started quietly around July 2024 – I’d begun to hear noise and word on the ground across the Walsall business community that the council were planning to close and ‘relocate’ the museum, handing the building and land over to the college. Back then – and this is something we’ve heard constantly throughout the campaign – I was told “it’s a done deal, don’t try and do anything about it – you can’t do anything”, which is really concerning, given that this decision to dispose a heritage asset hadn’t even gone out to a public consultation yet. The theme of contentious decision making and undue democratic process is one that played out heavily across the campaign – and I would advise anyone who ever has to fight a similar fight in the future to really hone in on processes, reports and how decisions are made.

After the initial chatter on the ground, it’s something I kept my eye on – seeing it come up for consultation in the autumn and then eventually announced as an item on the budget review later in January 2025. That was the moment I knew I had to act. The campaign started quite organically at first, with me making as much noise as I could across my social platforms and professional networks, rallying local community, industry and academia to mobilise against the decision. The more I shouted, the more people came to the fold, until eventually we had an organised and functioning campaign, with different people all bringing their own expertise to it. It’s been exhausting and we really have been relentless but it just goes to show what can be achieved when people pull together and work constructively.

Why is the Leather Museum so important to Walsall and its stakeholder community?

The town was built on its legacy in leather, with lorinery (fancy equine metalworking) emerging as a major trade in the 17th & 18th centuries, followed by the growth of saddlery in the 19th century, where it became a global leader in leather goods manufacturing. The golden age that it enjoyed in the late 1800s saw around 10,000 people employed in the leather trade and associated industries, continuing into the 20th century as the eminent source of work for people in the area. It’s a magnificent history that many of those in the community feel so connected to because it is inherently with us; most of our families would have worked ‘in the leather’; many living custodians worked in the trade all of their lives. It’s a real source of pride that sets us apart from neighbouring towns in heavy industries at the heart of the industrial revolution – the fineness and romance of leatherworking, supplying royalty over centuries.

Sadly, like many post-industrial towns, we’ve also experienced a real decline over the decades since de-industrialisation – jobs slipping away, firms going under, and sadly with much of our built heritage quite literally burning to the ground. Although there are around 50 leather businesses still operating in the area, we’ve gone from one of the most affluent towns in the Black Country to one of the top 10 most deprived places in the UK. 

The pride we hear our elders speak of has somewhat dwindled – you don’t grow up proud to be from Walsall anymore – the museum represents that last standing bastion of a proud heritage that makes us who we are. By pouring the same energy and effort that we did with the campaign into the future of the museum and leatherworking skills – I think we can get back there. We all need a bit of time to heal after what we’ve been subject to over the years though.

What is your relationship with the museum?

The museum has been a crucial part of my journey as a designer – I probably didn’t realise it at the time; you only really see that in retrospect. It’s a part of everyone’s lives here in Walsall though – it’s everyone’s first school trip if you grow up in the borough, and a real community base that delivers accessible craft activities throughout the year. As a child, I spent many school holidays at the museum on some of the craft programmes – whether that was leather, ceramics, or other arts & crafts activities. My friend’s mom used to run the café there so we would attend the programmes whilst she went to work and I just have the fondest memories of making things there and running around the courtyard in the summer. Again, like many post-industrial, working class towns, you aren’t encouraged to go into the arts as a viable career path – so having initiatives like these make such a huge difference to children growing up in areas like Walsall.

As I’ve grown, it’s always been at the centre of my practice. I was always using leather in my projects since I first started my studies and practice in fashion at Walsall College. With it being on the doorstep, I could always run in to study the collections, get advice on suppliers, be connected with other designers and leather companies. It remained that way throughout my time at Birmingham City University, where I decided to specialise in leather. With a shortage of specialists working across education, it was a god send in that I could access skills, knowledge and cultural references very easily. It still remains at the core of my practice – before it closed this year, I was in there 2-3 times a week and always took my own university cohorts to conduct research there.

What are you hoping to see happen now with the museum over the short and long term?

I think many of us are of the opinion that it shouldn’t just be a case of ‘shove all the collections back in and continue as normal.’ The museum was already a dynamic place but sadly it was starved of investment and marketing over the good part of a decade, so it had extremely limited opportunities to grow and really fulfil its potential. Decision makers now need to navigate the future of the museum carefully – pulling in adequate investment, funding and business modelling required to position itself as a premier institution for social history, leather heritage and skills development. The museum protects vital parts of our past and shared UK wide leather heritage – the challenge now is to connect it to the future of the leather industry.

Throughout the campaign, we’ve always positioned the museums offering around three main pillars: industry, academia and community. I maintain that these provide a steady focus that can help to pivot the museum towards its future. We talk of building communities around craft but it is also our duty to empower and protect the interests of existing communities such as those in Walsall: we shouldn’t have to fight this hard for something that is written into our cultural heritage. By bringing industry and academic interests into the equation not only makes room for viable economic benefits, it also provides a real basis for social mobility by equipping under-served communities with the skills, knowledge and networks to succeed.

It’s not going to be a straight path forward but I believe by working with decision makers and bringing in partners from industry, education, business, and the third sector, we can establish an institution that will keep it thriving and protected for the long term. Although, the campaign team is still working hard to ensure that we establish proper policy, protocol and process to counter the latter.

 Is there anything you would like to share with the leather industry about the museum?

Those who have been involved in the leather industry over generations will be more aware of Walsall’s legacy as one of the major historic contributors to the industry.  To those who have joined in more recent years, I can understand why it might sometimes go unrecognised due to a lack of awareness over the years. I hope that this campaign has really shone a light on and acquainted new and young leatherworkers to the cultural heritage and relevance of Walsall.

The museum has always been a remarkably special place – you can see that just from the exterior and the surroundings – it’s a unique Victorian façade resisting the pull of contemporary growth and development. Amidst the cladded buildings and symbols of modern life that it physically sits between, it almost has this appeal of survival. I think we are moving back to a time where we want to hold onto and pursue the tangible against the pull of technological advances. The museum has always provided just that.

I hope that, as we navigate the difficult period ahead, and build upon the voices and visibility of the campaign, that people will see the value in the museum and come to visit when it re-opens again, that the industry will recognise what an important part of our shared leather heritage the museum represents and how it can play a crucial part in strategically moving forward as a sector. I hope that we won’t be forgotten. Though I don’t think we will – I’m really quite loud when I need to be.

Q1: What is the European Commission’s Deforestation Regulation?

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is an EU law designed to reduce the EU’s contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation. 

The regulation aims to:

• Reduce global deforestation linked to EU consumption.
• Cut greenhouse gas emissions associated with forest loss.
• Protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Promote more transparent and sustainable supply chains.

It requires companies placing certain commodities and products on the EU market—or exporting them from the EU—to prove they were not produced on land that was deforested after December 31, 2020. This would include full traceability of the listed commodities and products back to their origin, e.g. for leather, back to the birth farm of the animal from which the hide was sourced.

Q2. What products does it cover?

The EUDR currently applies to seven key commodities and many products made from them. These are listed in Annex 1 of regulation and include:

• Cattle (including bovine hides and leather)
• Cocoa
• Coffee
• Oil palm
• Rubber
• Soy
• Wood

Q3. What is the European Commission proposing for leather?

The European Commission has proposed excluding bovine hides and leather from the scope of the EUDR. This means that, assuming the changes are approved, bovine hides and leather would no longer be subject to the requirements of the regulation.

The Commission concluded that:

• the low value of cattle skins and hides and asymmetries in trade flows between meat and hides meant that tanners would have limited leverage to obtain information required to comply with the EUDR;
• the leather value chain was distinct from the meat value chain and as such, the links to farms was reduced and would result in a high compliance burden on the industry;
• as leather goods are not covered by the EUDR, importers of finished leather goods (such as footwear, handbags or other articles) could continue to place them on the Union market without being subject to the due diligence obligations, while operators producing leather goods within the EU would face compliance requirements, creating an unbalanced approach.

Q4. What does this mean for leather manufacturers and brands?

If adopted, leather manufacturers, tanneries, and brands would no longer need to demonstrate EUDR compliance for bovine hides, skins and leather. 

Q5. Does this mean leather is no longer expected to be sustainably sourced?

No. Although leather may be excluded from the EUDR, brands are still expected to source responsibly. Many companies will continue to follow environmental, animal welfare, and traceability standards to meet customer expectations, corporate sustainability commitments, and other regulatory requirements.

A landmark collaboration between British Pasture Leather and Mulberry is showcasing the potential of regenerative British leather on a global stage.

Years in the making, the partnership is a major milestone for both organisations—demonstrating the quality, desirability, and future potential of British-made regenerative materials. It also signals growing industry recognition of supply chains that support both sustainable food systems and high-quality craftsmanship.

The “Mulberry Made with British Pasture Leather” collection celebrates the farmers, leather makers, artisans, and businesses behind every product, highlighting the power of collaboration across the supply chain.

With increasing interest in regenerative materials, British Pasture Leather is now focused on expanding access to more designers and brands, helping build a stronger future for British leather production.

Tell us more about this collaboration – what it means for British Pasture Leather and Mulberry?

For us, this is a tremendous vote of confidence that proves the quality and desirability of British Pasture Leather. It’s a big milestone because it was a long time in the making, with conversations starting nearly five years ago following the release of Mulberry’s Made to Last manifesto. For Mulberry, this is an exciting moment of leadership for the wider industry, signalling both the need and the opportunities for regenerative supply chains to emerge.

Do you think this points to a brighter future for the British leather industry?

Yes, definitely! As a small team with a big vision, this collaboration is a very exciting affirmation, and it gives us a lot of momentum. The success of this collaboration highlights the potential we have here in Britain to produce material with positive outcomes both for brands and sustainable food systems. It’s not without challenges — for example, we depend on abattoirs and tanneries, both of which have seen closures in the UK in recent years — so we need to get creative with solutions. But the interest and validation definitely suggests there’s a great opportunity to build upon the work that’s got us this far.

Tell us more about MADE WITH and what’s next for you both?

We were delighted that naming of  the “Mulberry made with British Pasture Leather” collection showcased our role as material producers and collaborators. It’s a reminder that every Mulberry product has so many people and businesses behind it — in our case, it is the pioneering Pasture for Life farmers and our skilled UK leather partners who work alongside us — but Mulberry has been doing wonderful work to feature the artisans who make the bags too. Next up for us is to build upon the systems we’ve established so we can make our leather available to more designers and brands!

World Leather Day 2026 marked another milestone for the global leather industry, bringing together manufacturers, designers, makers and brands from around the world behind one united message: “Make It Leather.”

This year’s campaign demonstrated the growing strength, visibility and collaboration within the international leather community, with participation spanning continents and engagement reaching new audiences across social media and industry press.

One Global Message, One Powerful Movement

At the heart of World Leather Day 2026 was a clear and consistent message: “Make It Leather.” The campaign celebrated leather as a material defined by craftsmanship, longevity and innovation, while highlighting the importance of responsible production and enduring design.

From heritage manufacturers to emerging creatives, the campaign united voices across the industry to champion leather’s role in fashion, interiors, automotive and design.

Worldwide Support Across the Industry

World Leather Day 2026 saw support from leather makers, designers and manufacturers across the globe — from India to Brazil, and from the USA to the UK.

The international participation reflected the shared commitment across the industry to celebrate leather craftsmanship and promote the future of sustainable, long-lasting materials. The campaign also reinforced the strong sense of community and collaboration that continues to drive the sector forward.

Strong Reach and Global Visibility

This year’s campaign achieved significant reach across both social media and PR platforms, helping to amplify the conversation around leather and responsible manufacturing.

Key campaign highlights included:

• More than 150 social media posts, stories and PR features generated globally
• Over 12,000 views of World Leather Day PR coverage
• Widespread engagement across industry and consumer-facing platforms
• Participation from brands, manufacturers, designers and leather organisations worldwide

The results demonstrate growing global interest in leather craftsmanship, sustainability and innovation, as well as increasing engagement with conversations around quality and longevity in materials and design.

Supporting the Future of Leather

A defining feature of World Leather Day 2026 was the collective support shown by industry leaders, creatives and manufacturers for the future of leather.

Through shared storytelling, educational content and campaign participation, contributors highlighted leather’s enduring value and the importance of preserving craftsmanship while continuing to innovate responsibly.

As the campaign continues to grow year after year, World Leather Day is becoming an increasingly important platform for connecting the global leather community and showcasing the people, skills and innovation behind the industry.

Looking Ahead

The success of World Leather Day 2026 reflects the momentum building across the global leather sector. With growing engagement, increased international participation and a unified campaign message, the initiative continues to strengthen awareness and appreciation for leather worldwide.

Thank you to everyone who supported, shared and participated in World Leather Day 2026 and helped make this year’s campaign a truly global success.

In recent months, the Leather Naturally Impact Team has been working on a new Report about Sustainable Water Management in the Leather Industry.

Co-authors include Aukje Berden, Global ESG Director, Smit & Zoon; Kim Sena, Sustainability Director, JBS Couros & Life Cycle Assessment Leader; and Camille Mori, Chief Sustainability Officer at PrimeAsia Leather Company.

The in-depth Guide aims to provide stakeholders in the leather value chain with the knowledge and tools to understand, interpret, and work together on sustainable water management.

Here, Aukje Berden explains the background behind the report and how adopting sustainable water management practices, the leather industry can reduce its environmental impact, enhance long-term resilience, and support global water security.

Aukje Berden,  Leather Naturally Impact Team

“For decades, water has been treated as a given in leather manufacturing — an abundant, invisible input that quietly enabled quality, consistency, and scale. That era is over.

Today, I believe water has become the single most strategic issue facing the leather industry. Not just as a resource, but as a lens through which our environmental credibility, operational resilience, and long-term viability will be measured.

This is not simply about using less water. It’s about rethinking how we value, measure, and manage it — across the entire value chain.

From Input to Strategic Priority

Water is fundamental to leather making. It shapes the material at every stage, from raw hide to finished product. But what was once a technical necessity is now a systemic risk.

Climate change is tightening freshwater availability. Droughts are more frequent. Competing demands from agriculture, communities, and industry are intensifying. In many regions where leather production is concentrated, water stress is no longer hypothetical — it is operational reality.

The implication is clear: water can no longer be treated as a background variable. It must be actively managed as a core business priority.

The Measurement Problem — and Why It Matters

One of the most persistent challenges I see across the industry is confusion around water metrics. We often talk about “water use” as if it tells the whole story. It doesn’t.

There is a critical distinction between water use — the volume withdrawn — and water consumption — the portion that is not returned to the system. Without this clarity, we risk misinterpreting impact and misdirecting action. Put simply: you cannot manage what you do not measure correctly.

This is why robust KPIs, transparent reporting, and alignment with frameworks like ISO 14046 and GRI 303 are not administrative burdens — they are strategic enablers. They allow us to move from assumptions to evidence, from claims to credibility.

The Danger of Single-Issue Thinking

In recent years, sustainability conversations have become increasingly reductionist. Water is often singled out as a headline metric — sometimes without context.

Our Life Cycle Assessment work reinforces a more nuanced reality: water impacts in leather are distributed across the entire lifecycle, with significant contributions upstream in agriculture and downstream in processing.

At the same time, leather’s durability, longevity, and repairability fundamentally change its environmental profile compared to alternative materials.

The takeaway is not that water doesn’t matter — it absolutely does. But it cannot be evaluated in isolation. Real sustainability leadership requires a multi-dimensional perspective — one that considers water alongside energy, chemicals, waste, durability, and end-of-life outcomes.

What Progress Actually Looks Like

Encouragingly, progress is already happening — and often faster than expected. Across the industry, I’ve seen tangible results from:

• Process optimisation and recipe redesign
• Closed-loop and recycling systems
• Advanced wastewater treatment technologies
• Real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making

In some cases, these interventions have reduced water use by 30–40% or more. That is not incremental change — it is transformation. But what stands out most is not any single technology. It’s the shift in mindset. The most successful organisations treat water management as a system, not a series of isolated fixes.

The Barriers We Can’t Ignore

Despite progress, the path forward is not frictionless. Water-intensive processes, regulatory complexity, high capital costs, and inconsistent data infrastructure all present real challenges — particularly for smaller players in the value chain.

There is also a human dimension that is often underestimated. Sustainable water management is not just technical; it is cultural. It requires awareness, accountability, and capability at every level of an organisation.

If we fail to address these barriers holistically, progress will remain uneven.

Why Collaboration Is No Longer Optional

One of the clearest lessons from this work is that no single actor can solve this alone.Tanneries can optimise processes. Chemical suppliers can innovate formulations. Brands can influence demand and set expectations. Policymakers can create enabling frameworks.

But the real impact happens when these efforts are aligned.

Water does not respect organisational boundaries — and neither can our solutions.

Equally important are the voices outside the industry: communities, NGOs, and local stakeholders. Water stewardship ultimately exists to protect shared resources. Without inclusive dialogue, we risk designing solutions that are technically sound but socially disconnected.

A Defining Moment for the Industry

The leather industry is at an inflection point. We can continue to treat water as a compliance issue — something to manage at the margins. Or we can recognise it for what it truly is: a strategic opportunity to redefine how we operate, collaborate, and create value.

The path forward is clear to me. It involves:

• Measuring what matters
• Acting on data, not assumptions
• Investing in innovation
• Embedding accountability across the value chain
• And placing water stewardship at the centre of decision-making

If we do this well, the outcome is not just reduced impact. It is a more resilient, credible, and future-ready industry. Water has always shaped leather. Now, it will shape its future”.

About the new report

The report, Sustainable Water Management in the Leather Industry, aims to highlight water’s essential role in leather making and its link to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

It also seeks to clarify the topic and equip stakeholders throughout the leather value chain with the knowledge and tools to understand, interpret, and work together on sustainable water management.

The report is now available to download from the Leather Naturally website. It was developed using insights gathered through a public consultation in late 2025, and draws on insights from a Life Cycle Assessment study conducted by Leather Naturally, supported technically by SPIN360.

The report explores:

• Why water remains a strategic priority for the leather industry
• The basis of sustainable water management
• How sustainable water management is implemented
• Limitations and challenges in water management
• Case studies and success stories

Supporting real-world progress

This publication is intended for industry professionals, sustainability leaders, suppliers, brands, and policymakers, to help them make real-world progress. It aims to deepen their understanding of water’s role in leather production and how it can be managed more sustainably for long-term impact.

The report highlights practical examples from across the leather value chain, showcasing how tanneries and industry stakeholders are adopting new technologies, improving processes, and implementing innovative approaches to reduce water use and enhance efficiency.

Inside this report, you’ll find case studies and examples from: the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE), Igualadina de Depuració i Recuperació, ISA TanTec, JBS Couros, and PrimeAsia Leather Company.

Download the report

Q: What is World Leather Day, and why does it matter? 

“It is our global moment to stand up and celebrate everything this material represents. On 29 April 2026, we are bringing everyone together, from farmers and tanners to designers and shoppers, to champion the incredible value of leather.

In a world of fast fashion and disposable goods, World Leather Day is a vital chance to shift the conversation. We want to highlight leather for what it truly is: a durable, versatile, and natural material that is essential to a responsible, long-lasting economy.”

Q: What inspired the 2026 theme, “Make It Leather”? 

“The idea was simple: we wanted to move from just raising awareness to sparking action. ‘Make It Leather’ is a confident, forward-looking call to choose leather deliberately, especially when quality and longevity are the priority. It is a rallying cry that is easy to understand and even easier to get behind, no matter where you are in the world.”

Q: Why is “Make It Leather” so relevant right now? 

“People are looking for value they can trust. Between economic pressures and a growing focus on the planet, decision-makers and consumers alike want materials that last.

‘Make It Leather’ addresses these realities head-on. It focuses on the beauty of repairability, the charm of a patina that gets better with age, and the timelessness of the material. It is a three-fold promise of confidence, quality, and intent.”

Q: Who is the campaign designed to engage? 

“Everyone who touches the leather ecosystem. That includes B2B partners, creative designers, students, artisans, and suppliers. By uniting all these voices under one clear message, we create a much louder and more effective advocacy for the industry.”

Q: What key campaign activities will be included? 

“We launched a new World Leather Day digital hub in early March. It’s not just a webpage, but a central home for facts, inspiration, and ‘myth-busting’ resources. We have designed it to be incredibly easy to navigate so people can find the information they need quickly.

We are also rolling out a global strategy across social media, PR, and international influencers to make sure the message travels far and wide. Importantly, this is not just for one day. ‘Make It Leather’ will stay ‘always-on’ throughout the year to keep the momentum building.”

Q: How can businesses and consumers get involved? 

“For our members, we have created a full toolkit of imagery and social assets to use. For everyone else in the industry, we want you to take the ‘Make It Leather’ message and run with it. Use it in your storytelling, your events, and your digital ads. The campaign is built to be flexible, so you can make it your own.”

Q: Why is World Leather Day so important? 

“At its heart, World Leather Day is about pride and truth. For those of us within the industry, it is a moment to stand tall and celebrate a craft that has been refined over thousands of years. It is about acknowledging the skill of the artisans, the innovation of the tanners, and the creativity of the designers who keep this material at the forefront of fashion and function.

However, it is also important because it allows us to have an honest, transparent conversation with the world. In an era of ‘disposable’ culture, leather stands as a powerful alternative. It is a natural byproduct that, when cared for, can last a lifetime. World Leather Day gives us a unified platform to share that story: to debunk myths, highlight our progress in sustainability, and remind people why choosing a material that lasts is one of the most responsible decisions they can make.”

Q: What does success look like for World Leather Day 2026? 

“Success is not just about how many people see the hashtag; it is about how they feel. We want designers to feel inspired to specify leather, students to be excited about a career in the industry, and manufacturers to feel proud of their craft.

Leather has an extraordinary heritage, but it also has a strong future. ‘Make It Leather’ is about claiming that future together with clarity, unity, and pride.”

The updated look reflects a cleaner, more modern identity for Leather Naturally, helping present our work in a clearer and more engaging way. The refreshed branding brings greater consistency across our communications while maintaining the organisation’s focus on transparency, education, and accessible information about leather.

A cleaner, more intuitive website

The new website has been built with simplicity and usability in mind, making it easier than ever to find clear, credible information about leather. With a streamlined layout, more intuitive navigation, and striking new imagery, you can quickly explore the content most relevant to them.

Redesigned resources

Some of the most widely used resources on the Leather Naturally website are now presented with improved design and readability. These include:

• Educational Fact Sheets, offering accessible insights into key topics around leather
• The Guide to Modern Leather Making, explaining how leather is produced today
• Our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, providing important data on leather’s environmental profile

By presenting these materials in a clearer format, our new site and branding makes it easier for audiences to explore reliable information about leather as a material.

Spotlight on our members

The redesigned site also introduces an updated Members page, giving greater visibility to the organisations that support Leather Naturally. The page features member logos alongside short profile descriptions, offering visitors a clearer view of the diverse companies and organisations that make up the global Leather Naturally community.

Designed for wider reach

The updated News & Events section will also become better optimised for Google and AI-powered search, helping ensure that accurate, well-researched information about leather can reach wider audiences.

In addition, a dedicated World Leather Day resource page will be launching soon, bringing together useful information, resources, and updates around this important annual celebration of leather.

Explore the new site

We invite you to explore the new website and experience the updated look and improved usability. As always, we value feedback from our community and members and would love to hear your thoughts. Get in touch with the Leather Naturally team to share your thoughts!